Google Glass auction pulled from eBay

Emma Woollacott, 28th February 2013

EBay has pulled an auction for a pair of Google Glass specs, on the basis that it was a fake - but not before bidding reached nearly $17,000.

The vendor, 'bla7kcat', hails from Cleveland, Ohio, and claimed to be an 'early adapter' [sic], one of the 8,000 people to be given a chance to buy a pair early if they can come up with a really good application.

"i will be personally attending and picking up my pair in either Los Angeles, or New York at Google's Project Glass launch event, which will take place some time after February 27th," the auction listing read.

"as for what colors will actually be available, will vary, if i am offered a choice, I will choose the color of your choice (see listing picture for variants). my cost to buy my glasses is $1,500 (USD), so obviously thats where ive started the auction at."

Unfortunately, all this simply doesn't add up. Google's only just opened the competition for early adopters - or Glass Explorers, as the company calls them - and it doesn't close until February 27. The presentations will take place some time after that - probably late March.

Even if the offer were genuine, there would still be problems with the auction. EBay says it violates its presale policy for good that aren't yet in the vendor's hands. In addition, the terms of the Google competition prohibit anyone else from accepting the prize; handing it over immediately after receiving it might be frowned upon too.

Before it was pulled, the auction reached a price of $15,900 - while the price for Google Explorers will be $1,500 plus tax. And with more than 30 people bidding altogether, what this episode does show is the huge eagerness of users out there.